Power Pistol Alliant Powder and 44Rem Mag

The Norseman · #1 10-04-2019, 07:52 AM

I have done Searches and went through my Reloading
Literature (Guides and Handloader Mag.), and can not
find a Reload for my 44Mag.

What I'm looking for is a Reload for 240gr .431dia Lead
RNFP bullet with Alliant Power Pistol, around 850 feet per
second. I'm leaning toward 8.0grs.

Any suggestions?

colt_saa · #2 10-04-2019, 09:17 AM

Just look up 44 Special loads and you will find what you are seeking

850 FPS is not exactly a Magnum load

cowboy4evr · #3 10-04-2019, 04:30 PM

I would use a faster burning powder , Bullseye , titegroup etc . Probably about 5.0grs in a magnum case , more or less . Regards, Paul

BigMuddy · #4 10-04-2019, 05:19 PM

Brian Pearce in the Dec 2014 Handloader (293) did an article on loads for the S&W M69. He listed 8.0 grains PP with a 250 Keith bullet @ 860 fps. I have had similar results. I usually load 8.2 grains. I've had very good luck with Power Pistol in several different cartridges. Low extreme spreads and great accuracy. 8.2 grains in a 44 Special yields 1000 fps in all of my guns. Same load in a Mag case is slower of course.

Dan

alwslate · #5 10-04-2019, 05:37 PM

I'd suggest a faster burning powder at that velocity level in the magnum
case. 6.2 grs of Bullseye under a 250 gr cast SWC chronos at 830 fps
out of my 4" 29-2 and is very accurate.

Qc Pistolero · #6 10-04-2019, 07:50 PM

Whatever you choose to do,don't use LLA lubricant.I did and Power Pistol ;it burns so hot that it strips and burns away the lube.
I was using 12 gr under a 212gr LFN bullet.I then discovered the joy of lead mining.
Unique or even 800X are good for that purpose.Not that PP wasn't accutate.It is and if your combo doesn't lead well be my guest!

The Norseman · #7 10-05-2019, 08:45 AM

I want to hear more replies. Thank you all so far.

I did go back to the Handloader #293 Dec '14.
Interesting reviewing it again, but not quite
what I'm looking for. The Double Ended Wad
Cutter was interesting.

The one Reply about Power Pistol so hot burning
melt'n and lead'n, I don't understand, because
Burn Rate is right by Unique. I have not experienced
that with Unique. I guess I'll find out when I settle
on Reload and Shooting Power Pistol.

Just a comment about Powders; I have the Old
Standbys. I got the Power Pistol for a really good
Price. I wanted to try it.

BigMuddy · #8 10-05-2019, 11:51 AM

Burn rate and burn temperature is not the same thing. A good example would be Hodgdon Lil Gun. It is a slow burning powder that burns very hot. Usually a higher nitroglycerin content results in higher burn temps. I personally have not experienced the leading issue mentioned with Power Pistol.

Dan

The Norseman · #9 10-05-2019, 01:14 PM

Power Pistol's Family appears to be; Bullseye®- Power Pistol®
- BE-86® - E3® - Pro Reach® 20/28® – Steel® - Unique®
- Sport Pistol® - Smokeless Powders, according to Alliant/Federal
Safety Data Sheet.

Document says Nitroglycerin the same for all. Makes me
wonder if their trying to conserve paper.

dogdoc · #10 10-05-2019, 01:48 PM

Power pistol is my favorite midrange 44 special and 44 mag power. I have excellent results in 44 mag with 9 grains behind a 250 grain Keith (Lyman 429421) with cci large pistol primer. Easy shooting with enough power for anything in Alabama .

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The Norseman · #11 10-05-2019, 02:36 PM

dogdoc - Thank You that's the Information and
Experience I'm looking for!

Got my Pwr Pstl at a very good price and just been
wanting to try it.

My current plinking 44 Magnum reload is;
240gr Lead Semi Wad Cutter Laser Cast bullet
5.6grs Alliant Red Dot, CCI LP #300 primer
Brass is Winchester, Remington, Federal, Starline.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately 825.
Bullets tumbled lube with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers no where near flat.

Wise_A · #12 10-05-2019, 02:37 PM

I concur—PP is a bit slow for your application. I prefer it loaded to the bottom or middle of its .44 Mag range, where it delivers all the flash and roar I enjoy, at slightly less recoil than, say, 2400. A worthy midpoint between Unique and 2400 or WW-296.

I think Bullseye, or a powder in between that and Unique, would get you there more cleanly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMuddy

Burn rate and burn temperature is not the same thing. A good example would be Hodgdon Lil Gun. It is a slow burning powder that burns very hot.

Well, a better one would be Titegroup. Most people, I think, associate slow powders in heavier charges with temp issues. Titegroup is relatively fast and is used in small doses.

BLUEDOT37 · #13 10-06-2019, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Norseman

What I'm looking for is a Reload for 240gr .431dia Lead RNFP bullet with Alliant Power Pistol, around 850 feet per second.
I'm leaning toward 8.0grs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Norseman

I did go back to the Handloader #293 Dec '14.
Interesting reviewing it again, but not quite what I'm looking for.

The data I believe he's referring to was in the M69 handloading article of that month.

It has a Lyman/Keith 250gr LSWC listed at 861 fps using 8.0gr/Power Pistol. Seems like that should be close enough to get you in the door.

Doubt you're going to find data for your exact bullet otherwise.

.

The Norseman · #14 10-07-2019, 12:38 PM

Went through my Handloader Magazines again.

In Handloader #281 Dec '12 page 28 is an
article about Alliant Power Pistol.

Still not quite what I'm looking for, other than
it was developed in 70's (Bullseye 84). Came out
in 1996. Mostly for Pistol cartridges.

Said; 44Mag/240jack'd/13.5grs/1437fps.
45Colt/250swc cast/8.5grs/812fps.

Going to eventually try it out in my MG 45Colt below.

Nevada Ed · #15 10-07-2019, 02:49 PM

Alliant's 44 Magnum data on the net is set up for the 200gr JHP with PP powder..........
14-15.5grs that will do 1500fps.

You might try another powder for slow lead bullets, for best results.

The Norseman · #16 10-10-2019, 02:30 PM

Still researching. Handloader #314 Jun '18 page 14 has
an article question about Power Pistol for 357Mag and
44Mag.

Par phrasing; its a medium burn rate powder, works
good with standard weight bullets. Be very careful
when approaching Max Loads because pressures
become sharp/high and reach 35K - 36K psi.

44Mag - bullet used is 240gr JHP Nosler / start 11.0grs
Max 12.5 / 1210 fps. Shot in 5.5Bbl Ruger BH.

I'm still thinking the 8.0grs (the 44Spl loading) should be
safe in the 44Mag/240gr Lead Bullet.

The Norseman · #17 10-10-2019, 04:30 PM

Well I decided to Reload two 44Rem Mag
cases. Here's what I did.

For Range Testing 44 Magnum reload is;
240gr Lead Round Nose Flat Point Oregon
Trail Laser Cast bullet.
8.0grs Alliant Power Pistol. (44Spl load)
CCI LP #300 primer
Case is 44Mag Starline.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS should be approximately 850.
Bullets tumbled lube with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.

I hoping the new reload will be similar to
my current, go to, plinking reload of
5.6grs Alliant Red Dot. FPS approximately 825.

Observations; Power Pistol is a very fine grain
Powder. It should meter very well in a Powder
Lever Throw Measure. Did not smell toxic.
8.0grs would reload 875 Cartridges (7000grs/lbs
/ 8.0grs = 875). Will be able to see a double
charge, I look at each reloaded Batch/Cartridge
with flashlight.

As you can see in the pictures, Power Pistol
is very fine grain. In the Cartridges you can
somewhat get an idea of fill.

Thanks for Reading

The Norseman · #18 10-14-2019, 10:09 AM

I got to Range Test my two Alliant Power Pistol reloads.
Both Test Fired just fine. Primers are not flat, actually
no difference then what other powders I use for reloading.

Other Observations ; cartridges not as much soot on side
(maybe better case to charge hole seal).
Cases came out of cylinder charge holes easy.
No notable difference in flash. Bang didn't appear any different.
Appeared first round accurate, close to each other at 12 o'clock,
maybe a little high than usual Red Dot reload.

I will have to try some more Alliant Power Pistol reloads.
Just looks like another Good Powder for reloading with.

Range Tested with S&W 629 P.C. 44Mag 6"Bbl.

Thank you for reading my Post.

Picture shows Primers. Bottom: the fired 8.0grs Alliant Power
Pistol. Top: 5.6grs of Alliant Red Dot (usual plinking reload).

The Norseman · #19 10-15-2019, 11:18 AM

I wanted to try A.P.P. again so I've reloaded my last
8 pre-primed Starline Cases.

This time I reloaded 4 at 7.7grs and 4 at 7.8grs. I just
picked these amounts because they still fill the Cases
what I think is Ok.

Hopefully I can try them out soon.

The Norseman · #20 10-26-2019, 09:34 AM

Well I finally got to Range Test my reloads of
Alliant Power Pistol; 7.7grs and 7.8grs.

This time I did notice more Flash at the Muzzle
Gas Ports on my S&W Lite Hunter, as compared
to the Alliant Red Dot reload.

As far as a "Louder Bang" I couldn't tell.

Accuracy appeared the same as my Red Dot
reload.

In My Opinion Alliant Power Pistol is just another
good Powder for Reload'n.

Thank you for reading my post.

Trooper224 · #21 10-26-2019, 09:42 AM

9.0 grains of PP under a 240 grain bullet is my standard "warm special" load for the .44 Mag. Excellent performance.

buck460XVR · #22 10-27-2019, 02:12 PM

Seems PP and standard to heavy for caliber bullets are not the best mix in .44 mag. Most all of my manuals, while giving loads with PP in both .44 special and .44 mag for bullets weights of 210gr or less(jacketed and lead), once you get past that bullet weight, there's nuttin'. This would tell me, that while PP may work with heavier bullets in .44, it does not work well enough for those recipes to be included in most manuals.

Protocall_Design · #23 10-27-2019, 02:47 PM

Power Pistol works really well for hotter target loads on a gun with a compensator. My understanding is that it's formulated to generate a big volume of gas to work a comp. Could be wrong, don't know for sure.

I'm using it for 38 Special with a 125 gr. JHP going about 1050-1100 fps. In a 6 inch barrel with a 7 port comp, the recoil is a little more than a .22 rimfire. I tried Auto Comp, but it burns hotter and I was getting my hand scorched on the cylinder during reloads.

38SPL HV · #24 11-02-2019, 02:32 AM

Prefer a bulkier powder in 44 Mag cases and mid range loads...Unique or Herco. 7 grs Unique should put you in the ballpark and fills the case more than PP for the same velocity.

The Norseman · #25 03-30-2020, 07:07 PM

Hopefully this Rerun will benefit a fellow
Reloading Enthusiast.

BigBill · #26 03-30-2020, 08:45 PM

I use unique powder in my 44 specials using leadcast bullets. I get better mileage using unique loaded more rounds per one pound can.
For my 200 gr jhp, 240 gr jhp I use 2400 powder for magnum loads.
The 2400 powder also works for the 357 mag, 41 mag too. The unique I use for 38 special, 45 acp, leadcast.

I try to keep my handgun powders down to two.

BigBill · #27 03-30-2020, 08:55 PM

I get better ballistics using the unique powder in the shorter 44 special case using leadcast. The shorter case pumps up the pressure. We lose pressure in the longer 44 mag case. Check your reloading data specs.

The Norseman · #28 07-27-2020, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Norseman

Well I finally got to Range Test my reloads
of Alliant Power Pistol; 7.7grs and 7.8grs.

This time I did notice more Flash at the Muzzle Gas Ports
on my S&W Lite Hunter, as compared to the Alliant Red Dot
reload.

As far as a "Louder Bang" I couldn't tell.

Accuracy appeared the same as my Red Dot
reload.

In My Opinion Alliant Power Pistol is just another good Powder
for Reload'n. Thank you for reading my post.

I got finally got a chance to shoot my 5 reloaded 45Colts with
Power Pistol/250 RNFP/LP/900fps? (out of my 625-6 Mountain
Gun 45Colt).

Well I did notice more "Flash" compared to my P.H.D. reload of
Alliant Red Dot. Couldn't tell if there was any more "Bang" than
usual.

As I said before, just another good reloading powder found cheap.

Just my notes. Thanks for reading my findings.